The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-03-14
wInGMAN's REMUNERATION.
An Epiecopnt Minister 1'etts Why no Left
ig gNE tho Church. n FL

= HI.##" tu0 ShurCns HtH| I'.##
Rev. Henry #. Wirgman, rector Of the
Protestant Episcopal Church Of Wellsbur9,
created something Of aaurprise in religious
circles Sunday evening, February 81, by
bis Eermon renouncing the Episcopal form
Of Worship and his reasons for Withdraw.
ing from the denomination.
In substance hts remarks were as FOL.
lows, and, as his intention waa unknown,
at timea they appeared somewhat start.
ling. His text was from the 10th verse Of
the 18th chapter OF Jeremiah: "Thus
saith the Lord, stand ye In the ways, and
see, ask for the old paths, where Is the
good way, and walk therein, aud 70 shall
find rect for your soul" The Jewish 70.
ligion became 30 corrupt that Christ had
to establish an entirely new Church when
on earth. In time the Church OF Christ
became likewise corrupt and Luther and
the English reformers %endeavored to re-
store 1t TO its purity. Their central doct.
rine Was salvation by faith alone. Mr..
Wirrman desired the rest, spoken Of, In
his religious convictions. For several
years he had been unable to reconcile his
Low Church views with the doctrines Of
tho prayer.book. It's martyr authors,
Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer, In the
time of Henry VIII, had allowed but
one blot 10 remain In Il, as was probably
excusable, as most churches have some-
thing unsound In their doctrines, and he
cited Luther's views on consubatantiation
as An example. The blot referred to was
| baptisn,sl regeneration. The present
prayer book, however, was not the prayer
book OF the reformer Cranmer. In the
tims Of Charles II. Romfah Influence
changed the pure doctrine Of the reform
ers so that 1000 English %c!ergymen could
not subscribe 10 its tenets, and left the
church. Tho most Objectionable doctrine
introduced at that time vas that Of apos.
tolic succession, which to his mind was a
presumptuous one, aud utterly lacking in
Bible sanction. He stated that on this
account he was not permitted to have u
brother minister, who preached as pure
or purer Bible doctrine than himself, enter
his pulpit. The tendency ever since the
time Of Charles haa been toward the
Romish Church which like a serpent has
been twinipv iss corsupting folks about
the pure teachings Of the retormera."
Romish phrases end useries were In.
serted. more particularly in the
special serviccs OF the church, and rs a
consequence tho High Church party plead
the prayer book for their actions. and in
churches in which one the pure doctrine
OF Jesus Christ was preached we're now
seen affairs aud super affairs and whatnot.
He remarked that il it was neceaeary to
fnsten his faith upon the teachings OF any
man, he would rather read his Bible by
the light Of tho torches that lighted the
souls OF Csanmcr and Ridley and Lstimer
to the world above than by the dim re.
figions light Of candles burning upon an
altar. Only a priest conld pronounce the
absolution. The High Church party out.
numbered and everruled those who taught
the pure doctrine ofthe early church. His
friends among the clergy had urged upon
him the fact that tho prayer book form
was broad enough to allow him his views
az well 90 those Of the High Churchmen,
but conscience told him to abandon that
Hhich could undo other OF its oTn teach
ines.
His points on baptismsl regeneration
and apostolic succession were enlarged
upon atlength and when he announced
his determination toleays the church, and
his regrets at the necessity, he expressed
them f%eelingly. Tho clergymen OF the.
church are honest and sincere in their be-
lieis, but his views precluded him from
remaining in their number.
The separation is a sacrifice to him in
more seGsea than one.
Rev. Wirgman comes here from Rom
ney, W. Va, his home. He Is a devout
young man, VINO wss universally liked for
his endearing qualities, both inside his
church and by the outside public, who re.
member him most farorably for bis late
union Thanksgiving sermon, and his Wise
and able handling Of the County Sunday
School Convention na Chairman, last fall.
His leanings arc toward the Methodist
church,
The members Of his church are consid-
erably incensed ut the action, claiming
that the proper way would have been to
present his reasons and resignation to the
BISHOP. or to have let them known what
expect, and not to have worn his robes
in the pulpit, At a meeting Of the veatry |
steps were taken to procure a new pastor,
and a letter stating the case sent to tho
Bishop. Letters were also sent to the St.
James church, in Ohio, and to Reverend |
Grange, Of Steubenville, Hammond, Of
Moundsyille, and Walker, Of Washington,
asking them to act as supplies when con-
venlent. Reyerends Swope and Gsnnt, Of
Wheeling, offered themselves, and ser
vices will be conducted in tho church dur
ing Lent. Bishop Psterkin will be pres.
during the month and preach a ser
non. AVE srI